Yeah that’s the thing. Hotspots are not any different require the same sim cards except if you choose satellite Starlink. That’s it. So the reasoning behind going the route i have is to completely cut out the mobile aspect and every part within except the 5g sim card since modern infrastructure doesn’t allow it basically.
All comms, apps, services, everything moved to a Linux x86 device and simply cable tether for internet. It’s still identity tied due to SIM (same with hotspots due to sim so a cell is lighter and better equipped to run lean even flashing custom ROMs add to control factor) but again it’s realistically as close and hassle free as one can get for daily use as a total phone replacement for a normal person. The entire phone is disabled aside from data and that’s behind VPN.
Anyone have suggestions on better paths or methods?
Yeah I just seen that. GPS is literally the backbone of phones. Wild. Software is the only way to spoof and or disable the feature. Custom ROMs are the only method essentially to gain the control you need. G-OS, lineage, etc etc which means the device also runs leaner and battery lasts days. It’d really the best solution far as I can tell.